Hey guys! I am soooooooo sorry about the long wait, and unfortunately, further chapters will take a while as well. My life as simply been turned inside out, and to make a long, long, loooonng story short, I may be adopting a baby May of next year and I've had to drop everything and prepare. I now work a full time job, ten hours a day, four days a week. Its physical so I'm practically dead by the time I get home haha. Then send my days off doing things I've neglected. Sigh…Anyway, no, the story is not abandoned, just having a hard time finding time and brain power to write. Thank you for your understanding, and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

…..

Disclaimer: I do not own Kakuriyo bed and breakfast for Spirits. All credit goes to the writer/creators of the show/manga

…

Chapter ten

…

"What did you plan to be?" Master asked as they lay in bed. He was behind her, holding her close, their fingers linked together. Every now and again, he would place a kiss on her neck, simply because he could.

"I didn't really know. I was in college, but I didn't really have a goal in mind. I'd played with the idea of being a chef, but even that I was unsure of. Honestly, before a came here I kinda felt as if I was just going through the motions of life. Each day like the previous one. Aimless."

"And never did you know that I was here, waiting for you."

She chucked before bringing their linked hands to her lips. "I never dreamed you were here waiting for me. I didn't know that there was so much more than the world around me. I mean, I knew of the hidden realm of course, but I didn't know it was like this."

"When I was sent back, I realized there was nothing there for me. The only person I was really ever excited to see comes from here." She laughed. "And I was so angry at you for tossing me aside and angry at myself for falling in love with you. I didn't want to."

"I'm sorry I sent you away. However, I am not sorry that you fell in love with me. I'm rather fond of that confession."

Aoi smiled. "I'm coming around to it myself." She turned so she was facing him. God, he was beautiful, and now, with his hair a mess and that grin on his face, she was so in love it gave her butterflies.

She reached up, brushing the hair out of his eyes, and smiled when he took her wrist and placed a kiss there.

"You're so lovely, my Aoi."

She blushed. She couldn't help it and wondered if his words would ever stop making her do so. "As are you," she replied, snuggling in closer.

She felt her mind drifting. She felt so safe and warm she couldn't help it. "I'm going to fall asleep," she informed him as she yawned.

"Sleep. I'll hold you safe," he replied, kissing the top of her head. "I love you," he whispered, but she was already fast asleep.

Aoi sat with her feet in the springs. In the distance, she could hear the singing of crickets that never seemed to tire of playing their symphony. The sky above was a brilliant mixture of pink and orange as the sun descended back towards earth.

Her surroundings were beautiful, and considering how much she longed to see this place again, she was sad that she couldn't really appreciate it the way she would have liked.

How the hell was she supposed to answer a question like the one Master asked? After sharing the night together, he sprung it on her before he had to get to work, leaving her spending the day with her mind reeling.

"I've wondered where you got off too," Ginji said as he approached her. His smile was kind as always, but she could see the stress in his eyes.

"Sorry if I worried you," she replied as he joined her. "I've just had a lot on my mind and had to get out of Moonflower. It was far too quiet."

"The master told me what he asked from you. I'm sorry it's burdening you."

She laughed, though there was nothing funny. "How am I supposed to answer that? I don't want to be responsible for her life!"

Ginji nodded. "The problem is, he loves her." He went on even though Aoi looked at him with a mixture of knowing and questioning. "He can't help but be soft for her. She's been apart of his life forever. He knows he doesn't want her around, and that she's the kind of person you want to keep alive but away from you. However, she hurt the woman he loves, and were she anyone else, he would have ended her on the spot."

"But to ask me? I'm angry and hurt because of her. Her actions put me through hell. The things I've endured…" She felt sick as the memories flickered through her mind.

Ginji took her hand, sensing the shift in her mood. "You are safe here, Aoi. We will never allow him to hurt you again."

"I know." She sighed. "What do I do? I can't let him kill her, but if she stays alive, what hell will she give us next?"

Ginji stood, holding out his hand for her. "Come. I think I know how to help."

She wasn't sure where he was going to take her, but down into the cell of a crazy person wasn't on her list. She shook slightly as she stood in front of Masami, who looked so different. She looked dull compared to the radiance she'd always imagined Masami carried.

"I heard you'd returned." Masami moved to she was against the bars of her cage. Her eyes looked red and swollen. "Imagine my surprise when I realized who you were. Funny the memory of meeting you years ago suddenly seems so clear. Time travel can be funny like that." She laughed as if she was in a daze. "I was the cause of my undoing. How ironic."

Aoi had to swallow as those clouded eyes focused on her again. She was trying to figure out what to say in response, but Masami went on.

"My actions hurt you. Hurt Mitsuhide. I'm sorry I hurt him. Guess I'm sorry I hurt you because it ended up hurting me. I'm my own worst enemy." She said the last bit in a sing-song kind of way.

"You deserve to suffer," Aoi said, getting Masami's attention once again. Aoi moves a little closer. "I hate you. And I've never hated anyone before. But I hate you."

"Not as much as I hate you," Masami called as Aoi walked away. "Wait! Come back! Don't leave me here! Please don't! I can't stand being alone! Come back! Come back!"

Aoi felt a little sick and was thrilled to breathe in the fresh air again. She stood there, the night air cool on her sweaty skin, and her mind clear.

Masami was a monster in her memories. Someone who she'd made bigger and scarier than she actually was and Ginji somehow understood that. The woman in the cell was just that. A woman who was likely never going to bother them again. Somehow she was sure of that.

"Thank you, Ginji. I didn't realize how much I needed that."

"You're welcome. Let's get back. The master will worry if you're not there when he goes looking."

She gasped as he kissed his way down her belly to the sweet spot between her legs. She wasn't really sure how she ended up naked and laying on the counter at Moonflower, but at this moment she didn't really care.

She opened for him, giving him access to her center, though his lips found the sensitive skin of her thighs instead. He kissed his way down her thigh and back up again, driving her mad.

As he made his way to the over thigh, he kissed her where she was most sensitive before going continuing on. Jesus, she was hot. So hot and ready to have his mouth on her. She nearly ached with the need.

Finally, he made his way back, all the while a hand teasing her breast. She let out a moan when his tongue slipped in, licking at her clit. Her hips bucked as he continued, driving her wild with pleasure as the orgasm built.

"Master," she gasped as she neared, not sure if she would survive this shock to her system. She'd never been so lost in a man's touch. Never felt this intense of an orgasm, and she called out for him as she was pushed over.

"More," he demanded as he drove his fingers into her, before sucking at her again, making the pleaser nearly overload her mind.

"Oh god!" She cried out, unable to stifle her cries of pleasure. She screamed out as she came, thrusting her hips against his fingers and lips.

"More," he said again, this time entering her with his cock after moving her to the floor. He shuttered, so ready to go, but unwilling to allow it to end so soon.

Aoi, who wasn't sure she could take much more, shifted allowing him to enter deeper made them both moan.

He moved slowly as first, holding her to him, kissing every inch of skin he could reach. He bit her a little when her center fisted at him, as she orgasmed again. He hadn't meant to, but luckily she was too lost in the pleasure to take notice.

Aoi went limp, her muscles feeling like jelly from all the release. "I'm not sure how much more I can take," she informed him as she kissed his shoulder.

"Just one more," he replied, laying her back and grabbing her hips. He thrust, watching her as he did so. She was so beautiful. So damn desirable. She cried out once more, and just in the nick of time because he followed her, his hips jerking with the release.

He collapsed on her, hardly able to hold himself up to stop from crushing her. He kissed her, loving that she kissed him back with the same passion. Something he never thought she'd do.

Aoi was beet red as she cooked. Not too long ago, he had her on the counter, writhing in pleasure, and now she was cooking, and he was watching her with lustful eyes.

How did people do it? How do they have the memory of what it's like to have sex with someone, and then continue acting normally with that person? She felt awkward and unsure of what to say.

"We can go out you know. You don't have to cook."

She glanced at him from over her shoulder and shot him a smile. "I don't mind cooking."

He returned the smile as he nodded. She never seemed to mind cooking. He imagined she missed it while…he shook his head. No, he couldn't allow his thoughts to go there.

"So I've given thought to Masami," Aoi said, pulling him from his thoughts. When he looked at her, she seemed nervous. "I think we should let her go as long as she promises to stay away."

"Are you sure?" This was the decision he'd hoped she come too. While Masami more than crossed the line, he didn't want to see her dead or caged up like an animal for the remainder of her life. He would have done it though, had Aoi asked.

She sat beside him, smiling when he took her hand. "I am sure. I don't want to be responsible for anyone's death. And I think she will agree to stay away." Masami was a mess. She couldn't get the unhinged picture of Masami out of her mind. "I think it's safe to let her go."

"You are too kind, Aoi." He stood, then leaned down to kiss her deeply.

Aoi felt embarrassed as her body responded. Warmth flooded her as she ached between her thighs. Hadn't she had enough.

Master let out a soft growl as he lifted her onto the counter. "You will be the death of me, Little Bird."

Aoi laughed. "We don't have to do anything. I can't help that my body wants it."

He kissed her again. "I want it too, but I have work to do." He kissed her once, twice, and a third time for good measure before heading towards the door.

"Master," Aoi called, waiting for him to look at her before continuing. "May I call you by your name?"

He blinked a couple times, then remembered that he'd told her his name, way back when. He smiled as he nodded. "When we are alone, you may call me by name."

"Why can't you love me?" Masami asked as they stood together, looking over Tenjin-Ya. She loved being up here, taking in the view below. The crisp fresh air making any troubles not seem so bad.

"I've never had a problem loving you, Masami. You're the one who always runs away from love."

Her eyes watered as she nodded. She supposed that was true enough. Even if she hated to admit it. "So, I leave, and never return?"

He looked at her and hated that this arrangement even made him a little sad. Not nearly sad enough to regret it, and if he were being honest, he was sad for her, not for him.

"You can't be trusted here, Masami. You can't keep coming into my life whenever you want, and make it hell, only to leave again when things get too real. I'm done."

"You never seemed to mind before."

"I did mind, but before I had no one to lose. Now I have Aoi, and I will not allow you to hurt her further."

Masami sighed sorrowfully. "Maybe I did go a bit too far. I'll make you a counteroffer, I swear you nor Aoi will ever see me again for as long as she lives, and I further promise to not cause harm to your Aoi."

"She will be around for a long time. Humans age differently in the hidden realm."

"You're worth the wait," Masami said, kissing his cheek quickly. "I do apologize for the pain I've caused you. And I've learned from my mistake. Isn't that strange? Me? Learning?"

"Masami, I hope you learn to love. I hope you can let go of the past and allow yourself to care for someone other than yourself."

She chuckled, though emotions made her feel uneasy. "Oh, kitten. You and I both know I'm incapable of love."

He watched her go, shaking his head. She wasn't incapable of it. She was afraid of it. One day, he hoped she would realize that.

Aoi laughed as Moonflower overflowed with customers. It was her first day reopened, and she was honestly shocked that they were so busy.

It felt good. Everything felt back to normal or at least almost everything, and it was a relief. She'd been waiting for the other shoe to drop, for something to come along and take her happiness away, but nothing bad was happening. Unless you counted a spilled bowl of sauce, but she wouldn't.

She cooked and Ginji waited tables, and it was as if no time had passed. They still worked amazingly well together. Something else she was happy about. She was afraid time apart would change her relationship with him, but it was as if nothing ever happened.

"They are loving that soup. You have three more orders," Ginji said, giving her a smile as he picked up the readied dishes.

This news pleased her. She'd been afraid it would be too spicy, but the sweet really does balance the flavors beautifully.

She turned when the door opened, and her heart fluttered when Master walked in. His eyes found hers instantly, and the smile in them gave her butterflies. She felt silly as nerves hit her. Why should she be flustered?

"Good evening, Aoi," he said as he sat down. "May I have a bento box, please?"

"One bento, coming up."

She went to move, but he took her hand. "Thank you, my love."

She gave a smile and felt giddy as she got to work. Jesus, he knew how to make her heart race and her knees weak. It was still odd, this effect he seemed to have on her now. She wondered if she had any effect on him?

She glanced at him, and he looked perfectly normal, meanwhile, she was as red as an apple, her heart fluttering in her chest like a hummingbird.

Getting back to work, she went into the back to grab more honey, and when she turned, he was there. He pulled her close and practically purred in her ear.

"You keep looking at me like that, and I won't be able to keep my hands off of you."

She chuckled as she wiggled her way out of his grip. "I'm working, she informed him. "My boss is a hardass. I wouldn't want to get on his bad side."

He grabbed her waist as she passed him, stoping her long enough to place a kiss on her cheek. "I think your boss will understand."

She laughed as she walked out, her heart swelling with love. She loved that ogre. There was no denying it any longer. She'd loved him for a long time, though she denied it. But not anymore. She loved him, and she didn't want to pretend otherwise.

She'd just put the bento down in front of him when Sasuke walked in, a stern expression making him appear older than usual. He was unusually quiet as he leaned towards Master, whispering something into his ear.

Master's back stiffened ever so slightly, and had she not been watching, she might have missed it. The smile at his lips didn't disappear, though there was a slight look in his eyes that unnerved her. She wasn't sure what it was, but it was there.

"Is everything alright?" She asked when Sasuke left.

"Everything is fine," he replied, then thanked her for the bento, which he would eat before leaving. Everything was actually better than alright. Raiju has been located, and he was going to have fun planning on just how to repay him for everything he'd done to Aoi.

One thing he knew for sure, the bastard will suffer before he took his life. He was now on borrowed time.

….

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D